Northern Meteor Ends Season With a New Winner

If we needed any further reminder of just what we lost in Northern Meteor we saw it at Warwick Farm on Wednesday when the ill-fated son of Encosta de Lago posted his 19th first crop winner.

Just a day shy of being crowned Australia’s Champion First Season Sire, Northern Meteor died from an attack of colic at Widden Stud last night.

His two year-old son Tarangower was easy in the market following a debut seventh earlier in the month, but improved sharply this time around with a step up to 1400 metres and improved fitness.

He slid across from a wide gate to take up a position just behind the lead for Blake Spriggs and then surged to the line to beat off all challengers and win by three parts of a length.

His trainer Paul Messara, the son of Arrowfield Stud boss John, described Widden Stud’s loss as “devastating” for the industry.

“I really feel for Widden Stud. This stallion has achieved so much in such a short space of time and will be sorely missed,” he said.

“He produced natural athletes and was a credit to our industry.”

Tarangower is a homebred for his owner Bill Rose and was foaled and raised at Widden Stud.

He is a half-brother to Group III winner Tall Timbers, stakes-winner Taken and stakes-placed Anapine being the eighth winner from eight to race for Isle of Pines (GB), who is now retired from stud duty.

Tarangower is the 18th Australian winner and 19th ( one in Singapore) overall this season for Northern Meteor, who is our Champion Australian First Season Sire by earnings and winners.

“At a time when we expected to be sharing and celebrating his success and achievements as Champion First Season Sire with our many clients and friends, we are instead mourning his death and wondering what might have been,” Antony Thompson said in a statement last night.